Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin opens up on 'bitter disappointment' of transfer embargo after Dumbarton defeat
Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin admits his squad have a tough challenge ahead this season after the 'bitter disappointment' of their season-long transfer embargo.
The Lanarkshire club were punished by the SPFL on Friday for failing to notify the SPFL they had been in default of their tax obligations to HMRC on three occasions, and now can't sign senior players for the entirety of this campaign.
It is a huge blow to their League One title aspirations this season, having been relegated from the Championship last season off the back of a 15-point deduction from the SPFL for multiple rule breaches, including relating to the non-payment of players.
Hamilton's woes were compounded today when they lost 1-0 at home to League Two side Dumbarton in their final Premier Sports Cup group game and Rankin has spoken for the first time since the club were hammered by the SPFL.
The likes of Ricki Lamie, Charlie Telfer and Aaron Comrie had contract offers withdrawn due to the ruling and Rankin admits the embargo leaves them with a mountain to climb in the league this term.
Speaking to the club media, he said: "We are absolutely gutted. We were on the training pitch preparing for today's game when we got the news and I broke it to the players.
"It is very tough. The players were raw, flat and it is tough even now but we had to make sure we approached today in the right manner.
"The players obviously had questions to ask because they came in and saw boys come in and train and be here for the full pre-season.
"I feel for everyone with what we've got just now in the squad because we can't bring anyone in because of this embargo.
"I am deeply gutted and it is something we've had to swallow.
"But the commitment and the professionalism from the players over the last day has been great. They are all together and right now there is nothing else for it.
"Hopefully we can overcome the challenge that lies ahead because, let's be honest about it, if we can't sign players for over a year it is going to be a tough challenge with the squad that we have.
"But with the character we have, once we get over the initial bitter disappointment, we will come together and we will be fine."
Despite the embargo, Accies are able to sign under-19 players or amateurs and the ruling saw the club hand a debut to 16-year-olds Josh Carson and Aaron Eadie.
In the end, it was former Airdrie striker Ally Roy who shot down Accies as he pounced on a short header and lobbed Dean Lyness on the stroke of half-time to net the game's only goal.
Reflecting on the match, Rankin added: "The hard part after yesterday's news was to make sure that everyone was ready and in the right mind to play.
"We got clearance for two tralists at 1.30pm and we weren't able to name the team until then.
"We gave Josh Carson his first start within that and we had to make sure that we protect people for next week in the league campaign, because that is the most important thing.
"That was my first thought, to make sure we are ready for next Saturday.
"But we looked really lethargic and I get that after the news yesterday, so it was about trying to motivate them to make sure they go and play.
"Just before half-time the game changes with a mistake, it's a short back pass and then they get their goal.
"After that, I felt we upped the tempo in the second half, huffed and puffed.
"We made changes towards the end to give some boys minutes and protect others.
"We took Connor Smith off to protect him and Kayden Aitken made his debut. We had chances and good opportunities but it just looked like it was one of those days. It sums up the feeling over the last 24 hours."
Accies host Montrose in their League One opener on Saturday.
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